Nothing brings on the happy tears like a good military homecoming video. It’s a feel-good moment to brighten anyone’s day.

And your day could sure use brightening – especially if you’re stuck in social distancing mode thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Military Homecomings to Watch When You’re Social Distancing

Settle back, grab the tissues and hit play on these amazing, emotional military homecoming videos that we can’t ever seem to get enough of!

Military Homecoming Compilations We Adore

What’s better than just one happy homecoming? Obviously it’s a whole bunch of these joyful moments smushed into one big video.

Cue the happy tears…

Okay, now that’s the sweetest! I’ve never seen such huge smiles or snuggly hugs!

Holiday Homecomings That Make Us Tear Up

Yup, it’s still spring and 100% not the holiday season. But a solid winter time homecoming, full of holiday cheer, is appropriate no matter what season it is!

And these sweet reunions definitely are putting us in a better mood today.

Is there a better present than your parent coming home from deployment just in time for the holidays?

I don’t think so!

Okay, fair to say: we’re obsessed with these holiday-themed military homecomings!

Pets Who Are Pumped Their Buddy Is Back

Scratch the holiday-theme as our fave military homecoming videos.

Now, we’re on to pets who are just over the moon happy that their best buddy is home.

Oh my gosh! So many kisses and snugs from that sweet pupper!

Fun fact: even rough, tough Marines are suckers for a cute pooch. Their mascot is a dog, after all.

These doggos are the best ever and deserve all the snacks.

Surprise! Your Soldier Is Home Videos!

Everyone loves a surprise. And these sweet families got one of the best unexpected gifts ever – their service member arriving home!

I think someone is slicing onions in here.

Yes, this is all about military troops surprising their families. But we couldn’t resist throwing in a reverse surprise that caught a sailor 100% off guard!

Too Cute Kids Who Just Got The Best News Ever

Military families go through so much during deployments, but kids are the heroes.

We’re suckers for any time that a child gets the best news ever – mom or dad is home!

That school day just got 100% better!

No matter the actual score. We already know who won this game!

Best. Photobomb. Ever.

Homecoming Proposal Videos To Make You Smile

The waiting is hard on partners. But these love birds got the best homecoming surprises ever!

Surprise homecoming + proposal = amazing!

Love is love is love is love!

I’ve learned that Marines are basically big ol’ softies!

TV Show Homecomings That Are Too Sweet

We love military homecomings. But do you know who else does?

Actually pretty much everyone!

And these fun TV reunions made all of us tear up.

Ellen: Doing the most to make us happy since forever.

Well, that was sneaky and wonderful!

Oh my gosh. I love Steve Harvey and some brotherly love, too!

Got tears in your eyes? Yeah, same.

#YoureWelcome

What’s your favorite military homecoming video? Drop the link to the video or share your own personal video in the comments!

You’re working from home, and so are your kids. Leaving the house except for essentials is frowned upon. But you’ve got to keep on living, right? Even when you’re in lockdown mode thanks to COVID-19. Don’t worry, we’ve got you…from a safe distance of course.

Tips to Keep On Living In COVID-19 Lockdown

Even when you’re practicing social distancing, self-isolating or in full-on quarantine, you can still enjoy your life and be semi-social.

What Are The Essentials?

Yes, in some places you can still leave the house, but only for life-essential reasons. Things like:

• necessary medical appointments
• groceries
• medication
• work, if not already working from home (in some states work has been limited to essential employees only including grocery store employees, gas station attendants, pharmacy employees and medical staff)

****PLEASE BE SURE TO REFER TO OFFICIAL SOURCES AND YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR UP TO DATE GUIDELINES AND STIPULATIONS REGARDING COVID-19****

However, if you don’t need to leave the house, it’s better to stay home. There’s absolutely no need to:

• get a haircut
• spiff up your manicure or pedicure
• visit a bar or restaurant
• get buff at the gym
• go to the beach
• congregate in the park

Before you start your car, hop on a bus or ride the subway, be sure to truly consider the risks that now come with your trip. Coronavirus aka COVID-19 is spreading rapidly around the globe, with a mounting death toll. Every social or public interaction is another chance to pick up the virus or spread it to others.

However, you can live your life with an abundance of caution with joy and purpose!

Try These Activities When You’re Stuck Inside Solo

We love some good social distancing right now. Less germs, right? But all that alone time can get to be a bit, well, lonely.

Try these ideas to be social while staying in your own space:

• Netflix Together: you can watch your favorite movies or binge a show together, with your friends, while still staying separated with a Chrome extension called Google Party!
• Virtual Book Club: you’ve got time on your hands, and so do your friends, so read a book together and then discuss via FaceTime
• Cooking Show: hop on Facebook LIVE during your next cooking session and share it with friends, a la Jennifer Garner.
• Workout Together, Apart: jump on your Peloton and take the same “class,” use your treadmill to run the same distance or do the same YouTube workout video at the same time.

Social Distancing with Kids at Home

Maybe you’re not alone, but only because your kids are also at home since schools are closed. Days 1-3 seemed fine, but now you’re reaching your absolute limit.

Check out these ideas and resources to get you through:

• Daily Schedule: create a loose schedule to organize your days – kids do better with structure!
• Khan Academy Learning Plan: kids from PreK-12 can follow a comprehensive learning schedule from Khan Academy, a free digital learning service.
• Join LiveStreaming Content: gain some sanity and add some fun with daily LiveStreaming educational kids content from professionals!
• Exercise Together: fire up a YouTube kids’ workout, like Frozen yoga from Cosmic Kids, and get moving together.
• Think Outside the Traditional Learning Box: everything can be learning if you let it! Try gardening, baking, sorting, cleaning, reading, watching TV, internet rabbit hole searches, etc. to pass the time and explore their interests.
• Do Science Together: try easy science experiments with your kids for simple educational fun!

You’ve Got Time for Things You Never Had Time For Before

“If only I had the time to…”

Now fill in that blank. What’s something you wish you had time for, but never did because of your busy, modern life?

Due to COVID-19, maybe you’ve got time on your hands. And now you can do the things you never have time for, plus some essential household chores that just need doing.

Add these to your to-do list:

• Start a New (Non-Social) Hobby: embroidery, scrapbooking, a new fitness trend – right now is the best time to try a new hobby!
• Clean Your Closet: really go through all your clothes and be ruthless with your deep cuts, donate things you don’t want or use to a Buy Nothing community to “regift.”
• Read: pick up an actual (or virtual) book and read it.
• Garden: you’ve got some pots or land that are just begging for plants. Weed, till and plant those seeds!
• Deep Clean: it took staying home 24/7 for the dust on the baseboards to drive you crazy. Take action and deep clean your home. Do one room a day to space it out.
• Disconnect: you always say you want to socially distance yourself from the constant stream of social media or news alerts. Good news: now you can – guilt free!

Keep Living Your Life During the COVID-19 Shutdown

You can still do so many things, just in different ways, even when socially distancing yourself from others.

Try these creative ideas;

• Date Night: instead of going to dinner and a movie, watch a new release that’s streaming and enjoy a homecooked meal together.
• Exercise: your gym is a no-go, but you can still bike, hike, run and walk outside, with at least 6 feet of space between you and others. Add in some bodyweight moves for extra strength. Or tune into a YouTube workout video, for free, right from your house!
• Fancy Dining: now is a great time to make like Julia Child and cook. Pick a favorite restaurant recipe and recreate it at home. You could also make up a meal using what’s left in your pantry.

So keep on keeping on, or KOKO during COVID-19. Don’t worry, we’ve got you.

For up to date information and the latest news on Coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and WWW.CORONAVIRUS.GOV.

How are you keeping your sanity during the COVID-19 pandemic? Tell us in the comments

Privatization of military housing was supposed to provide new and updated housing inventory to the aged housing on many military installations. In the past year, the news has been filled with stories of mold and substandard construction while work orders fell behind. About 30% of military services members and their families live in privatized housing.

Recently, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper and the service secretaries joined to sign a Tenant Bill of Rights. This document sets form 15 of the 18 rights that were mandated by law. The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act includes housing provisions for on base housing. These include a dispute-resolution process, move in/move out procedures, development of a common lease agreement, and the public availability of home-maintenance histories.

The secretaries from the military branches and senior executive from private housing companies are currently meeting quarterly to discuss ways to improve housing. According to a recent press release from the Department of Defense (DOD), providing quality housing to families is the Defense Department’s highest priority. The DOD Official recognized in the past, the department “took its eye off the ball” overseeing privatized housing on installations but said the housing today is in much better condition than it was, but more work remains. The release listed some of the recent improvements:

• The official said some improvements include:
• Publication and implementation of a Tenant Bill of Rights
• Improved communications and transparency with service members, lawmakers and the public
• Additional personnel to oversee the success of housing improvements
• Improved housing inspection
• Focusing the attention of leadership and landlords on helping residents achieve their rights.

In June 2019 a survey was sent to nearly 200,000 residents of privatized housing to provide input on the draft resident bill of rights by CEL & Associates, a third-party consulting firm that administered the feedback collection, tabulation and analysis on DOD’s behalf. The finalized Tenant Bill of Rights goes into effect May 1, 2020. Some highlights are:

• Meeting health and environmental standards and having working appliances and utilities
• Having easy-to-understand leases that outline any additional fees, identify the military tenant advocate, and spell out the dispute resolution process
• Providing prompt and professional maintenance and repair
• Providing common documents, forms and processes for housing units that will be the same for all installations.

Here is a link for The Complete Tenant Bill of Rights

It is encouraging to know that with all the issues in housing that the DOD and Congress are scrutinizing the private housing companies and providing more oversight. Service members deserve to have a safe, healthy home for their families to live in as well as timely maintenance when issues do occur. How have your experiences been with on base housing?

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Hearing news of people exposed to COVID-19, a.k.a. novel Coronavirus, being quarantined at military bases in the United States brings back memories of soldiers returning from Africa who were quarantined at Joint Base Lewis-McChord a few years ago. I lived there at the time and remember feeling tinges of concern. Overall though, I was sure all the necessary precautions were taken and that those that lived on the base would be safe.

I recently visited my son at Lackland Air Force Base where some of the people exposed to COVID-19 are quarantined. He said they could see the people in Hazmat suits visiting and how eerie it was. Overall he wasn’t concerned. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, novel Coronavirus data so far suggests the illness is mild, although the elderly and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19.

Another concern is with regard to our friends stationed in South Korea, particularly in Daegu where Coronavirus is widespread. Their posts on Facebook attempt to be positive, but you can read between the lines and see they are worried. All the schools are closed, and the children are doing all their assignments virtually. No one is quarantined on the base, but soldiers aren’t allowed to go to any businesses off the base and family members are asked to avoid leaving as well. Even all large gatherings such as church services are canceled. The local government off the base has banned large groups and asked that the populace remain home. I can imagine that it is challenging for families stationed there, especially not knowing whether they can travel or not.

In a recent Department of Defense (DoD) news briefing, Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper said, “For the past six weeks, defense leaders have been meeting to plan for any possible scenario with the virus that first surfaced in China. “We’ve issued a variety of [memoranda] and directives advising the force on how to deal with Coronavirus.”

One thing that is important to know is that the military already has plans in place to combat a pandemic or infectious disease outbreak. Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reiterated this at the press briefing and stated that the military is executing those plans. The DoD is monitoring what is going on in the field and reacting accordingly. For example, an exercise in South Korea has been postponed due to the large outbreak in that area while Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand is continuing.

One thing a lot of people don’t realize is the military has research laboratories. The mission statement of the Military Infectious Diseases Research Program (MIDRP) is to protect the U.S. military against naturally occurring infectious diseases via the development of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccines, drugs, and diagnostic assays and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved vector control protection systems (to prevent transmission of infections by insects, ticks, etc.). According to Milley the labs are working “feverishly” to try to come up with a vaccine.

Esper recently conducted a detailed meeting with DoD civilian and military leadership, including all the service secretaries, the COCOM commanders, to ensure the entire department is equipped for all scenarios: short and long-term, domestic and international. “Commanders of individually affected geographic commands have all the authority they need, and we’ll provide specific guidance to their troops as the situation continues to evolve. Meanwhile, NORTHCOM remains the global integrator for all DoD efforts and entities. My number one priority remains to protect our forces and their families; second, to safeguard our mission capabilities; and, third, to support the interagency whole-of-government approach. We will continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure that our people are safe and able to continue their very important mission,” said Esper.

We will see how the situation pans out in the next few weeks, but I feel the Department of Defense has a good handle on the situation especially for service members stationed overseas.

For more information and updates on COVID-19, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/ and https://www.defense.gov/.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

Military children weather a lot of storms: deployments, frequent moves, making new friends all the time, long separations from parents and family. April, Month of the Military Child, gives all of us a chance to share your child’s resilience and courage!

In support of the National Month of the Military Child, Military Shoppers News is proud to shine the (purple) spotlight on your military child or children.

Share Your Military Child’s Story of Resilience & Courage

Too often the stories of military kids get lost or glossed over, the thanks going to the serving parent or the military spouse.

Not this April!

All of March, we’re collecting stories – from you and your kids. Nothing fancy, just snapshots of their lives as military kids.

Tell about a time when:

• your military child overcame an obstacle unique to military life
• they showed resilience in the face of a long deployment
• your child was able to see the silver lining in a tough situation
• military life helped to mold your child’s character for the better
• your military child stepped up to serve their community

Or anything else special, wonderful and amazing about your military child. Which covers pretty much everything, really.

Entering Military Shoppers News’ Month of the Military Child Contest

There’s nothing to mail in, just a quick online submission form.

When entering, please keep the following in mind:

• this contest is designed to honor military kids up to age 18
• any military-connected child is eligible – veteran, AD, reserve, Guard, retired
• be honest and real – we love a heartfelt story!

Please use the form at the bottom of this article to enter. It has everything you need – including the waivers and consent forms.

All submissions must be received by March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. to be eligible for publication and prizes in this contest. If your essay is selected, you’ll be notified in early April, prior to publication of your child’s story and image.

By entering, you’re agreeing to:

• have your story edited for publication, if selected
• share your minor child’s photo online, including social media
• share your child’s name online, including on social media

To enter, you’ll need to upload an original image of your child and/or your family, including the serving parent. If you plan to use a professional photo, make sure you have a signed photo release from the photographer or contact that person to obtain consent.

You’ll also need to upload your original essay. Please ensure that no part of this has appeared in print or been submitted elsewhere for possible publication.

When you submit, you’re agreeing to have your photo and essay edited and published by Military Shoppers.

How We’re Honoring Your Military Children

Throughout the month of April, your stories are going to be featured right here on Military Shoppers News and shared all over our social media pages.

Your child’s story of courage and resilience will be in the spotlight!

But wait, there’s more.

At the end of April, three stories will be selected as prize winners and each featured one week in April!

Just by entering, you’re eligible to win a $100 Amazon gift card!

Three winners will be selected by Military Shoppers News on April 1, 2020. Each winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card courtesy of Military Shoppers News. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. E.D.T.

The final winners will be announced on Military Shoppers News, and our social media channels on Facebook and via email broadcast.

To be eligible to win, you must be a legal resident of the US with one or more parents who are currently serving, are currently in the reserve or Guard, or who have previously served during the child’s life and are now retired or have EASed from active service.

Children must be under 18 at the time of submission and must have been born during the military service member’s active duty service or during activated reserve or Guard service.

To submit, you must be 18 or older. Anyone connected to the military child may nominate a child. One entry per child please. Multiple submissions for a single child will not be considered. Teachers, parents, neighbors, siblings and other family members may all nominate a military child by submitting a story and photo.

For full eligibility and contest rules, please fully review the fine print on the submission form.

We can’t wait to share your child’s story in April!

How has your military child been resilient and brave throughout military life? Enter our contest to share their story and win great prizes!

After Amanda Huffman left the Air Force in 2013 after 6 years of service, she traded in combat boots for a diaper bag. But the change from full-time Airman to stay-at-home-mom wasn’t smooth or easy. Amanda felt adrift and without purpose.

“I needed something because I was going crazy being a stay at home mom,” she says. “I lost my identity when I left the military. I needed something to do for me outside of taking care of my son.

During her deployments, Amanda had loved writing letters home, creating a record of her experiences on active duty for herself and her family. Jumping off from there, she launched Airman to Mom to help people understand her journey and build a community of support.

“For a long time, I didn’t want to write about being a veteran” Amanda explains. “I tried to write about travel and be a mom blogger. People were more interested in that stuff.”

Air Force Veteran Shares Stories of Women in the Military

In 2017, she found her mission and her voice sharing the stories of fellow female service members and veterans. That year, Amanda launched a 31-day series focusing on publishing women’s military stories.

“I started collecting deployment stories in 2017 for a 31-day series focused on deployments,” she shares. “I ended getting responses from primarily women and I was fascinated by their stories.”

This one 31-day blogging series was the launching pad for Amanda’s book and podcast.

“I wanted to hear more stories,” she says. “A friend suggested that I just do it as yearly series and just do one a week. Then we started talking about podcasting.”

Sharing Female Veterans’ Stories Becomes a Mission

One thing led to another and in 2018 Amanda took the next step.

“I took all my original interviews and turned them into the book, Women of the Military, which is on Amazon. A lot of those are anonymous. A lot of them are still in the military or have hard stories they don’t want to share publicly.”

Women of the Military is available on Amazon in print and digital formats, as well as on Amanda’s own website as an ebook.

Amanda launched her podcast, Women of the Military, in 2019. Initially, women seemed hesitant to share their honest stories of military service.

Some are still on active duty. Others have tender or intensely private stories that they don’t want shared publicly.

“Only two of my original interviews wanted to be on the podcast. Now I have people knocking down my door to be on the podcast!”

Supporting Female Veterans & Future Service Members

Amanda’s main mission is to show that women serve fiercely and proudly. Doing this work feeds her soul and fuels her passion to collect more stories.

“I love to learn and it filled me up. I loved to learn about the history of the military and women’s history.”

Sign up to share your story on the Women of the Military podcast!

Podcasts listeners include current and former military members, as well as those considering military service.

Whoever is listening, Amanda’s goal is to show the many ways that women serve the United States.

“I want people to know that the reason why women are doing what they are doing today is because of what women have done (in the past),” Amanda explains. “Women have been doing all this stuff. We could go into places that men couldn’t go because we’re women, so the military changed the policies.”

So many of the stories on Amanda’s podcast dispell myths about what women can or can’t do. Sharing these experiences might help other women consider military service.

“Sometimes when you are a woman and you say you want to join the military, your family says ‘No,'” she explains. (It’s r)eally good to connect (with) the next generation with women who have served. (The podcast) helps the young women who are looking to join find resources and connections.”

Amanda hopes that by listening to the podcast, everyone will learn more about the true history of women in the military.

“(It’s c)orrecting people when they say things you know aren’t true. I think by listening to the podcast, they’ll learn a lot of the history of women in the military.”

Do you have a story to share with Amanda? Are you a fan of her podcast? Sound off in the comments!

It happens every single PCS: you’ve purged but have nowhere to put all the things you want to have leave your house.

Some of it is awesome quality, but you don’t want to go through the hassle of selling it. Other things are useable but well-loved. And then you have the random odds and ends from your pantry.

Where to bring all of this, well, stuff?

Enter Buy Nothing, a community-building movement that invites you to “gift” the things you’ve KonMaried from your house to your neighbors – for free! It’s literally the answer to everything.

Fall in Love with Your Buy Nothing Community

I’m a recent Buy Nothing group convert. And now I preach it’s gospel to anyone who will listen – Hello, Military Shoppers News friends!

Yes, it seems crazy. Give a whole bunch of your stuff away for free to your neighbors? Nuts!

There is a method to the madness, I promise.

The basic philosophy is pretty much “one person’s no longer needed item is another person’s treasure.” All those random spices and sauces you collected in your PCS prep purge? Someone might really enjoy cooking with them!

Support Your Neighbors with Buy Nothing

Buy Nothing also keeps those gifts hyper-local, too. As in within a few streets or blocks of your house.

Every Buy Nothing group is neighborhood-based, often times by established subdivisions, city districts or zip codes.

Each time you gift items from your home, one of your neighbors picks it up to use in their home. When they’re done, they might opt to post it in the Buy Nothing group again to find another new home. In this way, each item can get used by many families before it’s worn out!

Connect to Your Neighbors’ Gifts via Facebook

Sounds great! I get to off-load all the things I no longer want to people who can currently use them. Where do I sign up?

Actually, it’s all right on Facebook! Every group operates a private Facebook group. New members join by identifying two streets nearby (not revealing their actual address).

Everyone in the group can post “gifts,” or things they’re getting rid of, or “asks,” items they could use.

On gift posts, you can “bid” on the items you might want to claim. There can be clauses, like share a recipe you’ll make with this gift, in order to be considered. Other times, things are offered first-come, first-served.

If you are “gifted” the item(s) of your choice, you’ll connect with the donor to arrange a swap.

For asks, members will explain why or how they need the requested material(s). Sometimes, it might be needed for a short time – like air mattresses for overnight guests or a cocktail dress for a wedding. Other times it is items to keep – like missing ingredients for dinner that night or boots for a child.

Here’s Why I’m Obsessed with Buy Nothing

When we arrived back stateside in summer 2019, I received all of our HHG that had been in storage for three years. In other words, items I had learned to live without and mostly did not miss.

As each box was opened, I kept muttering the phrases: “Why did we keep this?” and “Where are we going to put this?”

The answer to both questions was a resounding “No clue.”

Enter Buy Nothing.

As I unwrapped those “no clue” items, I snapped a picture and posted it to my Buy Nothing group. That let people know it was available for gifting. Sometimes within minutes, I would have comments and replies asking to be considered for the item. And then each thing exited my house, into the grateful hands of a new owner!

100% awesome.

With very few exceptions, I was able to “gift” several moving boxes worth of items I no longer wanted or needed. No trip to the GoodWill. No selling or, let’s be real, attempting to sell.

Sample list of things I’ve gifted:

• Outgrown children’s clothes
• DVDs
• Books
• Decor
• Jane Austen action figure (yes, that’s a real thing)
• Shoes

I posted. It was claimed. And then it was just gone from my porch!

At first, I was just a gifter. As we’ve settled in and winter has arrived, I’ve turned into a giftee as well.

Three years in the sub-tropics didn’t really prepare us too well for, you know, cold and snow. My kids had approximately zero winter clothes or shoes.

Until I was gifted some via Buy Nothing.

I’ve also gratefully received:

• Home decor
• Potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and other veggies
• School uniforms
• Work clothes
• An entire wardrobe of barely-worn Lularoe (some new with tags!)

Will You Commit to Buy Nothing with Me?

My USMC husband was super skeptical at first.

“People just, like, give these things away? What’s the catch?”

There is no catch, except the extra cash in your wallet!

After realizing that Buy Nothing is a community based on saving money, he was hooked. Not having to spend on pricey school uniforms completely sold him on the concept.

In total, I would guess we’ve gifted several hundred dollars worth of things we’ll no longer need but that still had life left. On the other hand, we’ve also received about that much back in gifts. It really evens out!

Plus, we’re no longer storing all the things in our (very tiny) house. Once we’re done, the item moves to a new home.

Everyone likes saving money! And it’s a good way to make sure that things get all the way used up, too.

It’s also kind of made for military communities! We rely so much on each other generally. This just makes sure you’re being more economical in the process.

What’s your favorite way to reduce, reuse and recycle? Sound off in the comments!

According to recent coverage by MOAA, Tricare will soon be dropping thousands of prescriptions from coverage at MTFs and by mail. You’ll still be able to get the medications you need – just from a retail pharmacy and at full cost.

Will Tricare Still Cover Your Prescriptions?

These most recent changes follow on the heels of a shift started in fiscal year 2018. During the National Defense Authorization Act, the Defense Health Agency was authorized to move certain types of drugs to Tier 4, medications that are no longer covered in any way by Tricare. Their cost does not apply to the annual catastrophic cap either.

Tier 4 drugs are supposed to be limited to those that:

• Offer little to no benefit generally or relatively
• Are in danger of doing more harm than good
• Could be replaced by another drug
• Come at a higher cost than covered alternative medications

At first, this wasn’t a huge issue. The prescription medications impacted were used by relatively few beneficiaries, according to MOAA.

In August 2019, the first round of Tier 4 medications was announced. It included:

• Glumetza: an anti-diabetic medication
• Vimovo: used to treat various forms of arthritis
• Lexette: a psoriasis treatment

Relatively few of Tricare’s beneficiaries used these specific medications.

Widely Used Prescriptions Get Bumped to Tier 4

In November 2019, Dexilant, a GERD medication, was removed. This change impacted approximately 19,000 Tricare beneficiaries according to MOAA.

At the start of 2020, MOAA learned that Tricare and the DHA were considering moving Cialis and Viagra to the Tier 4 list. This decision was pending a final decision from the DHA director as of mid-January 2020.

A review panel voted 6-2 to remove the brand name medications from the formulary, or covered, drugs. Only the generic version of these drugs would remain available via Express Scripts or an MTF pharmacy.

This vote also determined that men over age 40 would not need prior authorization from their PCM to receive erectile dysfunction drugs. Men under age 40 or those with enlarged prostates would still need authorization.

In addition, this policy change would move other brand name and generic erectile dysfunction drugs to the Tier 4 list. Those could include:

• Stendra
• Staxyn
• Levitra
• all associated generics of these brand names

From Covered to Non-Covered

When this new tier of medications was announced for fiscal year 2018, a process for consideration was also released.

New drugs could be considered for the move to Tier 4 quarterly on a limited basis. This allowed DHA to identify reasonable generic or formulary alternatives to replace the possibly non-covered medication.

The removal of a medication’s coverage status would take place over an extended period. This would allow patients to consult with their doctors about alternative treatments.

Express Scripts, the prescription mailing service used by Tricare, would also notify beneficiaries of their medication’s tier change 30-60 days before the final switch. At that time, patients would also be informed of next steps to take to ensure continued care.

MOAA’s Concern Over Tier 4 Drug Changes

While there are checks in place to prevent a large number of beneficiaries from feeling the impact of a drug’s change in status, MOAA is concerned that this might not be enough.

They cite the 19,000 patients impacted by Dexilant’s Tier 4 status change in November 2019. There are currently three other formulary alternatives available that are comparable to Dexilant, per a January 29, 2020 search of the Tricare formulary database.

In addition, MOAA is concerned that the panel has not followed the 2018 policy language with fidelity. They especially point to the phrase “provide very little to no clinical effectiveness.” MOAA does not seem to support the idea that the targeted erectile dysfunction medications or the GERD medication meet this standard for exclusion from the formulary.

How often do you check to make sure your medication is still covered by Tricare? Sound off in the comments!

By Marguerite Cleveland

Facial hair except for mustaches is not allowed in all branches of the service but there are a few exceptions. The first is for medical reasons that affect shaving. The second reason is for religious reasons. Some special operators are allowed beards to blend in with local populations. Can you grow a beard in the military, the answer is no unless you have a sincerely held religious belief or you have a medical reason? It is important to note that the reason beards and facial hair are prohibited is due to the fact that respirators and chemical masks do not get a proper seal with facial hair. This can put the service member at risk. That is why it is required to be clean shaven every day.

Medical reasons for not shaving usually have to do with razor bumps where hair becomes ingrown due to shaving and primarily occurs in African Americans. In this case the beard is typically limited to 1/4 inch. Some branches of the service will allow a permanent profile for this condition but recently the Navy did away with permanent shaving waivers for sailors diagnosed with razor bumps. The reason being that facial hair hinders the effectiveness of breathing devices.

The Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1300.17, Accommodation of Religious Practices Within the Military Services prescribes policy, procedures, and responsibilities for the accommodation of religious practices in the military services. DoDI 1300.17, paragraph 4.b, states “[r]equests for religious accommodation will be resolved in a timely manner and will be approved when accommodation would not adversely impact mission accomplishment, including military readiness, unit cohesion, good order, discipline, health and safety, or any other military requirement.” This regulation allows service members to apply for a waiver of grooming standards for religious accommodation.

These requests are evaluated on a case by case basis and there is quite a bit that goes into a decision. The first is evaluating if approved would the accommodation would impair the safe and effective operation of weapons, military equipment, or machinery; pose a health or safety hazard; interfere with the wear or proper function of special or protective clothing or equipment; or otherwise impair discipline, morale, unit cohesion, or accomplishment of the unit mission.

The next step is evaluating if a service member has a deep and sincere belief in a religious faith. The Department of Defense recognizes 221 religions including; heathenry, humanism, paganism, and Wicca. Requests for waivers regarding grooming go all the way up to the Secretary level for approval. Two recent cases one which was approved and one that was disapproved show how each case is unique.

In a case which was approved a soldier who practiced the Norse Pagan faith, a heathen religion received an approval for a beard waiver in accordance with his faith. In 2017, the Army recognized waivers for Sikh soldiers allowing them to honor their religious traditions. The Air Force also approved a waiver for a pagan Airman to allow him to grow a beard.

But not all requests are the same. SPC John Hoskins, a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster which are known as Pastafarians, was recently denied a waiver even though he professed a deep and sincere belief in the Pastafarian faith. The reason for the refusal was that he had not demonstrated a sincerely held religious belief.

So although the military has relaxed the grooming standards for medical or religious reasons, the average service member will not be authorized to have a beard or facial hair other than a mustache.

Marguerite Cleveland is a freelance writer who specializes in human interest and travel stories. She is a military brat, a veteran and now a military spouse.  Her military experience is vast as the daughter of a Navy man who served as an enlisted sailor and then Naval Officer. She served as an enlisted soldier in the reserves and on active duty, then as an Army Officer. She currently serves as a military spouse. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two sons. Visit her website www.PeggyWhereShouldIGo.com

When Seth Brees left the Air Force after 12 years of service, he didn’t immediately find his niche. Instead, he took the first job he was offered.

“I floundered a little bit, I didn’t have a goal or a direction,” he explains. “I took the first job that came along and I was miserable. Now I know why: it just wasn’t for me. We’ve all had one of those jobs. I felt kind of lost.”

Military Veteran Champions Homeless Veterans, Transition Support

Even though he had taken the transition assistance classes offered by the Air Force, he still struggled after he EASed. Something was missing.

“For me, I needed a new mission, a direction, a focus.”

Shortly after, Brees discovered Passageways, LTD. a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting homeless veterans in and around Wichita, KS. Passageways was founded in 2014 by Jennifer Garrison and Susan Moellinger in an effort to provide a solution to the homeless veterans in their city.

“The founders were watching the news and a homeless veteran died under a bridge due to cold exposure,” shares Brees. “They called around and nothing was being done. Now, 5 years later they’re getting ready to open their own neighborhood for homeless veterans.”

Brees connected with the homeless veterans he was serving through Passageways, LTD. over shared experiences following their military service.

Air Force Vet Finds New Mission Helping Homeless Vets

“(Volunteering with Passageways) started mainly just me looking for something to get excited about when I left the military,” he explains. “And that was it. I found it and I’ve been going full speed ahead ever since.”

As his connection to Passageway’s mission grew, Brees became more committed to being a changemaker for homeless veterans. In the process, he’s discovered that veterans often end up with uncertain housing situations due to a rough transition to civilian life.

“It’s very much a psychological event,” he says. “You get used to a certain lifestyle, the comradery with military culture. When you leave the military, you don’t have the comradery.”

Beyond the seachange in lifestyle and support, there is often trouble translating their years of military experience into information that civilians can understand.

“Decoding your military experience is how I usually put it,” Brees says. “I recognized that the biggest thing that we can offer is some guidance. We have (transition assistance) on military bases, which is great. But there is so much more that we can do and it requires that personal touch.”

Added to the equation is having some level of financial security or mobility. Having instability here, even if there is housing currently, could lead to bigger issues in the near future.

“You’re one incident away from homelessness,” Brees shares. “If you lose your car, you’re done. You lose your means to go make money. There’s a difference between being homeless with a car and without, because then you’re relying on public transportation and getting employment gets significantly harder.”

Combatting Veteran Homelessness Inspires Air Force Veteran

Over the years that Passageways has been supporting homeless veterans in Wichita, Brees notes that over 8o veterans have transitioned to stable housing. In total, Passageways has helped approximately 2,500 homeless veterans.

“With Passageways, the youngest (veteran) has been 27 and the oldest has been 97, a WW2 Veteran. He lived out of his car for 30 years and not anymore!”

As a board member, Brees has supported Passageways towards a major goal: opening a neighborhood of homes for homeless veterans.

“Operation homefront will be a gated community only for homeless veterans in the Wichita area. Open to men and women, families, and service animals.”

Brees excitedly shared the details of this new project, one of the first of its kind specifically for homeless veterans. All told, there will be 15 one-bedroom homes for individuals and 15 two-bedroom homes for families with up to three children. Service animals will be welcomed and community support features are built into the neighborhood.

Launching a New Mission to Support Transitioning Veterans

While working with homeless veterans, Brees realized that often they needed a little extra support and guidance to translate their military experiences into civilian jobs. This led to his small business venture, Veterans Mentor.

As part of his business, Brees offers personalized support and assistance navigating life post-military.

In addition to his business, Brees also hosts a podcast – The Veterans Advocate. He uses this platform to share stories and experiences, veteran to veteran.

Part of his mission is to educate veterans about the resources available, as well as share advice from those who have been there, done that. A large portion of his podcast guests has been veterans that have transitioned out of homelessness.

“I just want to talk to somebody who has a story to tell,” says Brees. “I don’t want a perfect success story. I want someone who is relatable. Anyone who has been through a rough transition and has some advice to offer, that’s what I’m after.”

Whether on his podcast, through his business or via Passageways, Brees has been struck again and again by the willingness of the military and veteran community to support each other.

“Overwhelmingly veterans are eager to help other veterans with anything. All you need to do is ask.”

While he has his podcast and business, Brees’s heart is overwhelmingly with Passageways.

“If I can get anything accomplished, I just want to get the name and story of Passageways out there.”

To support Air Force Veteran Seth Brees and Passageways, LTD., please consider making a donation. Your support will allow them to complete the Operation Homefront neighborhood and continue reaching homeless veterans in and around Wichita, KS.

Know a veteran making a difference that we should feature? Comment below or email us!